Category: Cancer and Me

My Allograft 2018/19 – 4. Wednesday 2nd January 2019 By Andy Burrows, 2 January 2019 Happy New Year! Happy New Year everyone! I just thought I’d do a little update. I have to say, last time I updated you I was still a little shell-shocked at the change of plan, and a little cautious thinking…

By Andy Burrows, 19 December 2018 One of the things that is common when talking to people who have had a brush with cancer is to hear phrases like, “it certainly changes your perspective on things.” And people pick up on that and make all kinds of assumptions about the perspective we’re talking about. Sometimes…

My Allograft 2018/19 – 3. Friday 14th December 2018 By Andy Burrows, 14 December 2018 Adjusting “How are you feeling,” we asked all our kids several times on Tuesday evening, trying to make sure they were digesting the change of plan ok. “I’m just confused,” was the response from our youngest, who is about to…

My Allograft 2018/19 – 2. Tuesday 11th December 2018 By Andy Burrows, 11 December 2018 The bit where things were going to plan I’ll start with the part where things were going to plan. But feel free to skip to the next section. I would if I were you. It’s much more interesting and important!…

My Allograft 2018/19 – 1. Sunday 9th December 2018 By Andy Burrows, 9 December 2018 My daily blog begins again I recorded a bunch of videos over the last week that I had every intention of editing and putting together into a little documentary on what I’ve been doing to prepare for my stem cell…

By Andy Burrows, 28 November 2018 I don’t think I needed anything to remind me of the enormity of what’s coming, but I got a reminder yesterday anyway! For the last month it’s been quiet. No treatment, only one short hospital visit each week, hair starting to grow back. I was phoning the stem cell…

By Andy Burrows, 11 November 2018 Life at Base Camp Before I give you my reflections on what’s driving my attitude at the moment, it’s worth giving a quick update on my situation to set the scene. I think I mentioned last time that things had settled down after my chemotherapy. My blood counts have…

By Andy Burrows, 21 October 2018 I thought, rather than anything too deep, it’s probably time for a news update and a look back over my chemo experience. I have now arrived at Base Camp, using my Everest-climb analogy! I had three cycles of R-ICE chemo, which meant three 4/5-day stints staying in Basingstoke Hospital.…

Andy Burrows, 8 October 2018 There is no doubt that my fourth battle with cancer is the toughest challenge of my life. I feel the need to make that clear. I’ll explain what makes it tough in a minute. And I’m not losing my positivity and optimism when I say this. I guess I just…

Andy Burrows, 30 September 2018 Hello! It’s been a while! I can remember writing in one of my articles about my 2015 relapse that I wanted, “to do other things rather than constantly being ‘that guy who has cancer’.” A few months later, I went on to write, “I’m trying to close the door,…